Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Climate Change

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that measures (1) to mitigate the impact of climate change, and (2) to promote COP26, are taken account of in their levelling up agenda.

Lord Callanan: Many of the actions we need to take to mitigate the impact of climate change and reach net zero emissions will support both our recovery from COVID-19 and the future growth of our economy, including levelling up our regions. My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution will mobilise £12 billion government investment across the UK to accelerate the net zero transition, support up to 250,000 green jobs and reinvigorate our industrial heartlands, helping to level up the country. As part of the Ten Point plan, we will for example, invest £1 billion to support the establishment of CCUS in at least four industrial clusters. Developed alongside Hydrogen, we can create transformative ‘SuperPlaces’ in areas such as central and north-eastern Scotland, south Wales, the Humber, Teesside and Merseyside.Over the coming months, ahead of COP26, we will bring forward further bold proposals, including a Net Zero Strategy, to cut emissions and create new jobs and industries across the whole country – going further and faster towards building a stronger, more resilient future and protecting our planet for this generation and those to come.

Research: Finance

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their reportGlobal Britain in a Competitive Age: the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, published on 16 March, and their stated aim to secure the UK’s status as a ‘Science and Tech Superpower’ by 2030 by redoubling the commitment to research and development, whether they intend to reverse funding cuts to research and development programmes; and if so,to which programmes they intend to provide increased funding.

Lord Callanan: Our commitment to research and development has been clearly demonstrated through the Spending Review announcement to increase investment in R&D across government to £14.6bn in 2021/22. This increase in investment will help deliver our ambition to increase total UK R&D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. The increased investment will put research and development at the heart of economic and social recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, enabling us to build back better for a greener, healthier and more resilient UK. As the custodian of the R&D system, BEIS was allocated £11.1 billion for R&D in 2021/22. Funding for each individual programme is subject to our Departmental allocations process, which is under way. We will provide an update in due course.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of protection one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provides against COVID-19; and what plans they have to publish the evidence base that informs their data on the effectiveness of one such dose.

Lord Bethell: Since the beginning of the vaccination programme, Public Health England (PHE) has been monitoring the effectiveness of the vaccines in the real world. PHE’s first analysis of the early effects of COVID-19 vaccination in England, using routine testing and vaccination data, was published on 1 March. The data shows effectiveness of a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against symptomatic COVID-19 reaches approximately 60% in those aged 70 and over in the general population, reaching 85% to 90% after two doses in those aged 80 years and over. The data also shows a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is 80% and 95% effective at reducing hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19, respectively, in those aged 70 and over. PHE’s latest vaccine effectiveness report can be found attached entitled, ‘Public Health England vaccine effectiveness report March 2021’ Public Health England vaccine effectiveness report (pdf, 732.8KB)

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the optimum gap between the first and second dose of (1) the Oxford/AstraZeneca, and (2) the Pfizer/BioNTech, COVID-19 vaccine for securing the longest period of protection against COVID-19.

Lord Bethell: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) Information for Healthcare Professionals regarding the Pfizer vaccine states that a second dose of it should be given at least 21 days after the first dose. For the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Information for Healthcare Professionals states that the second dose should be given between four and 12 weeks after the first dose. This advice is based on clinical trial data and other information submitted to MHRA by the manufacturer.Based on trial data showing the effectiveness of both vaccines, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that both vaccines should be given up to 12 weeks apart. The JCVI also advised that priority should be given to having a greater number of people given a first dose, which would have a greater public health impact than prioritising second doses.

Andrew Pollard

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Ministers have reviewed the decision for Professor Andrew Pollard to recuse himself from all meetings of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation discussing COVID-19.

Lord Bethell: Ministers have not reviewed this decision. Conflicts of interest are set out in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) code of practice. In order to prevent any perceived conflict of interest it was agreed that the JCVI’s Chair, Professor Andrew Pollard, who is involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine at the University of Oxford, would recuse himself from all JCVI meetings related to the virus.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they (1) have had, and (2)intendto have, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency about the (a) safety, and (b) effectiveness, of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Lord Bethell: The Department has regular discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regarding the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Joint Committee On Vaccination and Immunisation

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how often the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation meets; what was the date of the most recent meeting; and when the minutes of the most recent meeting will be published.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a publicly available register of interests for the members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Lord Bethell: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation usually hold main committee meetings three times a year. Due to the pandemic, the Committee have undertaken ad-hoc meetings to discuss COVID-19. The most recent meeting was held on 16 March 2021. The minutes of this meeting will be published on or before 27 April 2021. Members’ declarations of interest are published as an annex to the minutes. All minutes are published online.

Department for Education

Graduates and Work Experience

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with universities regarding (1) the technical skills, and (2) the employability, of graduates; and what steps they are taking to increase practical work experience opportunities for young people.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Since the announcement of our Higher Technical Education reforms in July 2020, we have engaged with a number of universities. Whilst we want to see further education colleges expanding their higher technical provision, we also want universities to offer more higher technical qualifications or apprenticeships, which are a more focused and better targeted route for students, employers, and the economy.Many universities are already delivering higher, level 6 plus, and degree apprenticeships. We regularly engage with the higher education sector, including via higher education provider representative bodies, to encourage more universities to work with employers to deliver apprenticeship training wherever there is employer need.We recognise that a number of education leavers will face challenges gaining employment due to the ongoing adverse impact on the UK labour market and economy of the COVID-19 pandemic.The government is doing all it can to help people who are at the start of their career journey. The Department for Work and Pensions has successfully recruited over 13,500 new work coaches by end of March 2021. This will ensure that high quality work search support is available to those who need it. The Office for Students’ Local Graduates competition has awarded £5.6 million to 16 projects across England to help graduates into local employment opportunities.As part of the government’s Skills Recovery package plan for jobs announced on 8 July 2020, we are investing an additional £32 million in the National Careers Service up to March 2022. This investment will provide individual careers advice for 269,000 more people whose jobs or learning have been affected by COVID-19.The Skills Toolkit has free courses to help graduates to learn new skills, including general skills that apply to all sectors and more specialised skills. In September 2020 we added additional courses to The Skills Toolkit with new content including a range of courses to develop ‘work readiness’ skills that employers report they value in their new recruits.The Department for Education is working with Universities UK, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, the Institute of Student Employers, the Office for Students, and the sector to understand what more we can do to support graduates who are looking to enter the labour market or continue their studies at this challenging time. The Office for Students’ Local Graduates competition has awarded £5.6 million to 16 projects across England to help local graduates into local employment opportunities.Work experience is important for getting into any career. The careers statutory guidance makes it clear that schools should offer work placements, work experience and other employer-based activities as part of their careers strategy for year 8-13 pupils and that secondary schools should offer every young person at least seven encounters with employers during their education.We are providing valuable support to schools and colleges to provide work experience through The Careers and Enterprise Company, which has been given the task of increasing access to work experience for young people. Guidance around work experience can also be found on the National Careers Service website.

Home Education: Regulation

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of regulations regarding home education.

Baroness Berridge: The current legal system around elective home education is a system for identifying and dealing with children who, for any reason and in any circumstances, are not receiving an efficient suitable full-time education. A situation in which a child is not receiving a suitable full-time education requires action by a local authority under education law.In the spring of 2019, a consultation was held on proposals for: a mandatory register of children not attending state or registered independent schools to help local authorities carry out their responsibilities in relation to children not in school, a duty on parents to register their child with the local authority if not registered at specified types of schools; a duty on proprietors of certain education settings to respond to enquiries from local authorities; and a duty on local authorities to provide support to parents who educate children at home.The consultation closed on 24 June 2019 with nearly 5000 responses. Responses to the consultation have been considered, and the government are committed to publishing the response in due course. Following the publication of the consultation, the department will make an assessment of regulations and the need for any legislative change.

Schools: Standards

Lord Hay of Ballyore: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to raise educational standards in schools across the United Kingdom.

Baroness Berridge: Education is a devolved matter, and the response will outline the education reforms for England.Since 2010, this government has been committed to raising educational standards in all schools across the country to ensure that all young people leave school with the knowledge, qualifications, and skills they need to succeed in life. The proportion of schools now rated by Ofsted as Good or Outstanding has risen from 68% in 2010 to 86% in 2020.We know that the COVID-19 outbreak poses great challenges to the education system. That is why in June 2020, the Department announced a £1 billion catch-up package, which includes £350 million for the National Tutoring Programme. This will increase access to high-quality tuition for the most disadvantaged young people, helping to accelerate their academic progress and tackle the attainment gap between them and their peers. More recently, in February 2021, we committed a further £700 million of funding for the 2021/22 academic year. This package includes a new one off £302 million Recovery Premium for state primary and secondary schools, building on the Pupil Premium, to further support pupils who need it. The devolved administrations are receiving additional funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way. This funding enables the devolved administrations to deliver support where programmes do not apply across the whole of the UK.

Schools: Private Finance Initiative

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to deal with the Private Finance Initiative school contracts that will end in the next five years.

Baroness Berridge: The Department has recently established a Contract Expiry Unit. That unit is actively working alongside the relevant local authorities and academy trusts on seven pathfinder projects. Those pathfinder projects are the earliest Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects to expire in the education sector. The Department is also considering how best to assist local authorities and academy trusts on the later PFI contracts to expire.

Special Educational Needs: Disadvantaged

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children with special educational needs in disadvantaged areas receive the required support.

Baroness Berridge: Our ambition is for every child, no matter what challenges they face, to have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life. Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is a priority for us, especially at this time.The cross-government SEND Review is looking at ways to improve the SEND system across the country, including how to ensure better outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Our ambition is to publish proposals for public consultation in the spring.We have already announced a major investment in special needs education, including an additional £730 million for those children and young people with high needs in the 2021-22 financial year, coming on top of the additional £780 million in the 2020-21 financial year, which means high needs budgets will have grown by over £1.5 billion, nearly a quarter, in just 2 years. The funding formula used for allocations of high needs funding includes factors designed to target more funding to disadvantaged areas.We are also supporting local SEND services. On 10 February 2021, we announced over £42 million of funding for projects to support children and young people with SEND in financial year 2021-22. This investment will ensure that specialist organisations around the country can continue their work to help strengthen local area performance, support families and provide practical support to schools and colleges. It will strengthen participation of parents and young people in the SEND system – ensuring they have a voice in designing policies and services and have access to high quality information, advice and support. It includes £27.3 million specifically to support families on low incomes raising children with disabilities or serious illnesses.Finally, we recognise that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a particular impact on children and young people. We are committed to helping all pupils, including those with SEND, make up learning lost as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Sir Kevan Collins has been appointed as the Education Recovery Commissioner and is considering how schools and the system can more effectively target resources and support at pupils in greatest need. This includes £1.7 billion in funding to support education recovery. In June 2020 we announced a £1 billion catch-up package including a National Tutoring Programme and a Catch-up Premium for this academic year, and in February 2021 we committed to further funding of £700 million to fund summer schools, expansion of our tutoring programmes and a Recovery Premium for next academic year. Funding will support pupils across early years settings, schools, and colleges.

Skilled Workers

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local skills improvement plans will meet the skills gaps in each local authority.

Baroness Berridge: Business representative organisations will be given the leading role in developing Local Skills Improvement Plans in trailblazer areas, informed by key stakeholders such as local authorities, so that they provide credible and evidence-based assessments of local skills gaps and priorities. The plans will bring colleges and other providers together to agree how skills gaps can best be filled, and our Strategic Development Funding will support colleges and other providers to do this in trailblazer local areas.It is our intention to legislate to put the employer leadership of Local Skills Improvement Plans on a statutory footing, strengthening the voice of employers in local skills systems across the country. We will also consult on introducing new accountability structures to underpin their delivery.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners: Mental Health

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the mental health of the prisoners serving an imprisonment for public protection sentence who continue to be detained 10 years or more beyond their tariff.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: The Government recognises that those serving indeterminate sentences (life and imprisonment for public protection (IPP)) face particular challenges in maintaining their emotional wellbeing, especially during the restrictions imposed on account of the COVID pandemic. The guidance and training produced by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) directs the attention of prison staff to the needs of indeterminate sentence prisoners. HMPPS allocates a key worker to all such prisoners and also makes available to them peer supporters such as Samaritans-trained Listeners.The unreleased IPP prisoner population is continuing to reduce, year on year; it stood at 1,849 on 31 December 2020, down from 2,134 on 31 December 2019. The majority of IPP prisoners continue to have a high chance of a positive outcome from Parole Board hearings. In 2019/20 72% of Parole Board hearings resulted in either a recommendation for a progressive transfer to an open prison or release.The Government’s primary responsibility is to protect the public; however, HMPPS remains committed to supporting prisoners serving an IPP to reduce their risk to the level where the Parole Board determines that they may be supervised effectively on licence in the community.

Prisoners: Ethnic Groups

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people are currently in prison serving a determinate sentence of 20 years or more, categorised by ethnicity.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: The information requested is shown in the tables below. I can also confirm that sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary based on the facts of each case. Prisoners serving a determinate sentence of 20 years or more, by ethnicity, as at 31 December 2020, in England and Wales.  All1,276  Asian / Asian British150Black / African / Caribbean / Black British194Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups36Other ethnic group17White874Not stated5

Crime: Victims

Lord Hay of Ballyore: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of mental health and wellbeing provision for victims of crime.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: This Government is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the public, including victims of crime, and to ensuring that the right support is in place to help victims cope and recover both within and beyond the pandemic.In recognition of the impact of Covid-19 on the wellbeing of victims, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) established the Victim and Witness Silver Command Group in March 2020 in order to identify and assess developing risks and issues that may have an impact on victims of crime, including their mental health support needs. This group continues to meet on a fortnightly basis and its comprehensive membership consists of representatives from across government including representatives from the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England, criminal justice agencies, external stakeholders, and the third sector.In 2021-22, we will provide just under £151m for victim and witness support services, including an extra £51m to increase support for rape and domestic abuse victims, building on the emergency funding from this financial year to help domestic abuse and sexual violence services meet increased levels of demand.Additionally, on 23rd November 2020 the Government published 'Staying Mentally Well: Winter Plan 2020 – 21' which includes a commitment, backed by £50 million, to boost capacity and support good-quality discharge for mental health service users from inpatient settings. We have also announced that in 2021/22 the NHS will receive around an additional £500 million to address waiting times for mental health services, give more people the mental health support they need, and invest in the NHS workforce. We are absolutely committed to our ambitions in the NHS Long Term Plan to expand and transform mental health services in England and to investing an additional £2.3 billion a year in mental health services by 2023/24.

Prison Sentences

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were sentenced to custody for 20 years or more, who were not subject to a life sentence, in each of the last 10 years.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: Figures covering the period 2009 to 2019 for the number of individuals sentenced to custody for 20 years or more who were not subject to a life sentence can be found in the table below.Number of individuals sentenced to custody at all courts, 2009 to 2019(1)(2) 20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019Total sentenced to custody 100,231  101,513  106,170  98,044  92,966  91,313  90,348  89,862  86,354  78,876  75,971 Less than 20 years98,778100,073104,90796,84892,49190,80789,88889,37685,87478,29175,39120 years or more and less than life3137493771649179118153124Imprisonment for Public Protection(3)1,0011,0198197479------Life sentence421384395412395442369407362432456Source: MoJ court proceedings databaseNotes 1. The figures given in the table relate to defendants for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.3. Sentences of imprisonment for public protection were introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and abolished by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Russia: Disinformation

Lord Strasburger: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the written evidence by the Paymaster General to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, published on 3 March, which states that “since 2016 £100m of funding has focussed on building collective resilience to Russian disinformation across Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood Region”, on what that money was spent; and what is the equivalent figure for funding resilience against Russian disinformation targeted at the UK.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The CDMD programme contributes to HMG's Russia Strategy and UK national security by supporting projects which expose and build resilience to disinformation operations associated with Russia across Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood. The types of support given varies from mentoring with UK media organisations; consultancy on programming; funded co-productions and support for regional Russian language media initiatives. Addressing the challenge of disinformation is a whole of Government effort and draws on resources from a number of Departments with costs met through their respective budgets.

Palestinians: Coronavirus

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsupport they are providing to the Palestinian Authority to ensure that supplies of COVID-19vaccines (1) to the West Bank, and (2) to Gaza, are not delayed.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is committed to global equitable access to effective vaccines as demonstrated by our £548 million contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) - the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines. We were pleased to note that the first shipment of over 60,000 doses from the COVAX scheme arrived in the OPTs on the 17th March and that over 21,000 were sent to Gaza.The British Consulate-General in Jerusalem is in regular contact with the Palestinian Authority and will continue to raise timely and appropriate access to COVID-19 vaccines. UN agencies, the PA and the Israeli Government are also working together to ensure that essential medical supplies and staff can access Gaza.

Ahmad Dola

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representationsthey have made to the government of Israel concerning the death of Ahmad Dola in a house fire in Kafr Aqab, East Jerusalem, on 8 March; and in particular, concerning the reports of Palestinian fire engines being delayed at a checkpoint.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We are aware of the reports surrounding the death of Ahmad Dola. Free movement of essential personnel is vital to the effectiveness of care. Delays of essential services and permit delays can endanger the health and lives of everyday Palestinians. The UK will continue to raise the issue of freedom of movement and access into and out of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including for emergency services, with the Israeli authorities and stress the impact that their restrictions on movement and access are doing to ordinary Palestinians who rely on these fundamental rights.

Overseas Aid: Research

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance on (1) university research, and (2) the UK’s soft power across the world.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Covid pandemic's economic impact has forced the government to take the difficult decision to temporarily reduce ODA to 0.5% of GNI. Despite this reduction, we will remain a world-leading ODA donor, spending around £10 billion on ODA in 2021-22. The Foreign Secretary has set out a strategic approach to ensure maximum impact for our aid spend for 2021-22, laying a Written Ministerial Statement for Parliament in January, summarising overall departmental cross-government allocations of ODA. FCDO and other departments are working through the implications of their allocations for the research programmes they manage with universities. The UK has led funding for scientific advances that have helped drive significant reductions in extreme poverty, increases in agricultural productivity, declines in childhood mortality, and increases in life expectancy across the developing world. We remain committed to the use of ODA to support research that can provide new solutions to critical challenges in development.

Republic of Congo: Elections

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the elections in the Republic of Congo; and whether the UK sent observers to monitor those elections.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK notes the re-election of Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who received 89 per cent of the vote in the Republic of Congo's Presidential election as announced by the Republic of Congo's authorities on 23 March. The Electoral Commission estimates turnout was 67.5 per cent. The UK has no permanent diplomatic presence in Republic of Congo and it was not possible to deploy a British official to monitor the election under the terms set out by the Republic of Congo authorities. The African Union observer mission noted several irregularities. One of the candidates in the election also sadly passed away on the day it took place. The UK is concerned about the reported irregularities and urges the Republic of Congo authorities to ensure its constitution is followed in respect of the election results.

Department for Work and Pensions

Disability

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the panel overseeing the tendering process for the Cabinet Office’ssystematic review of the lived experience of disabled people (CCZZ21A07) (1) includes, or (2) is chaired, by a disabled person.

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government which disabled peoples' organisations were involved in (1) developing the criteria for the tendering process of the Cabinet Office’s systematic review of the lived experience of disabled people (CCZZ21A07), and (2) appointing the body responsible for the review.

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the criteria for the tendering process of the Cabinet Office’s systematic review of the lived experience of disabled people (CCZZ21A07).

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Cabinet Office’s systematic review of the lived experience of disabled people (CCZZ12A07) will be made publicly available.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The systematic review is part of Disability Unit’s ongoing work to improve and systematise the evidence base on the lived experience of disabled people in the UK.The tendering process has been overseen by Disability Unit (DU) staff as well as procurement specialists from Crown Commercial Service (CCS). We do not know about those from the CCS side, but some DU staff involved do have lived experience of disability.The scope and criteria were drawn up by Disability Unit, informed by knowledge of the existing evidence base and its gaps, and also incorporating the focus areas of the National Strategy for Disabled People. Since the tender was conducted as an open competition, all of the criteria (e.g. the requirements and the evaluation criteria) for the tendering process were available on Contracts Finder.

Home Office

Counter-terrorism

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 1 December 2020 (HL10439), what lessons they have learned from the anti-terrorism measures introduced by the governments of (1) France, and (2) Austria; and what new anti-terrorism measures they plan to introduce as a result.

Lord Greenhalgh: Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 1 December 2020, HMG already has robust counter-terrorism measures in place, which are outlined in the UK’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST).Our overseas approach to countering terrorism is global but completely integrated with our domestic approach. We continuously review policies in light of new developments. We closely monitor France and Austria’s responses to the attacks.We will continue to look to learn from these examples where they are applicable to the UK context. We continue to share best practices, and discuss evolving threats and responses, such as preventing terrorist use of the internet, with the governments of both France and Austria.

Asylum: Military Bases

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by theMinister for Immigration Compliance and Justice on 11 February 2021 (150977), what are the timescales for ending the use of (1) Napier, and (2) Penally, barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

Lord Greenhalgh: Napier Barracks will remain in operation in accordance with current needs.

Asylum: Housing

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedures they have established to (1) monitor, and (2) evaluate, contracts with asylum accommodation providers.

Lord Greenhalgh: We expect the highest standards from our providers, who are expected to conduct regular checks across the accommodation estate. The Home Office have access to providers’ systems to monitor compliance.The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts (AASC) have a robust performance management system, against which providers are expected to deliver. Where performance falls short of the required standard, failures are recorded and can result in the award of points and, ultimately, service credits being applied. Providers’ performance is monitored closely by dedicated staff in each contract area, who are in daily contact with them.This is supplemented by a formal governance process which includes quarterly Strategic Review Management Boards and monthly Contract Management Groups. Service credits and subsequent improvement plans are discussed and monitored as part of this process.Contract management is operated in line with Covid-19 guidance. Service Delivery Managers speak daily with providers about service delivery and performance. ​In response to the global pandemic, officials also have formal meetings on a weekly basis to ensure individuals are housed safely, services are delivered in line with their contractual obligations and adherence to guidance from Public Health England (PHE) is followed. ​Asylum seekers can also raise specific issues or concerns about their accommodation through the 24/7 Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service operated by Migrant Help. The Home Office and our providers receive feedback on complaints raised through our regular dialogue with Migrant Help, which enables attention to be focussed on particular areas of concern.

Asylum: Housing

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of staff working for asylum accommodation providers have received the training specified in the Asylum Accommodation and Support Statement of Requirements; and whether training for staff who have face-to-face contact with service users is stipulated in Home Office contracts with providers.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts (AASC) are published and the requirements of the contract are set out in the Statement of Requirements, this includes provisions around training and the training programme for those with face-to-face contact with our customers.The Provider must fully equip and train staff (including volunteers) to ensure they are able to fulfil their roles and ensure appropriate and sufficient security provisions are made for all staff undertaking face-to-face activities. Those with face to face contact must cover the following:Ethnic diversity and cultural awarenessSuicide and self-harm awareness and preventionBasic First AidGender based violenceFire SafetyHealth and SafetyVicarious TraumaUnconscious BiasCounter TerrorismModern SlaveryTraining relating to housing standards and regulatory requirementsAs a minimum, provider staff should receive refresher training on the requirements listed above annually (i.e. refresher training completed every twelve (12) months), or more regularly if required.The Home Office does not intend to publish data on the number of staff employed by accommodation providers, who will be expected to undertake training. However, provider performance and service delivery is discussed on a weekly basis. There are formal performance meetings each month, plus strategic boards with senior provider management, once a quarter.The Home Office discusses performance of the contracts and service improvements with Local Authorities who participate in asylum dispersal. Durham is the only Local Authority in the North East of England who do not accommodate supported asylum seekers. We would encourage all Local Authorities to play their part and hope Durham will join their neighbours in doing so.

Foreign Nationals: Myanmar

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to citizens of Myanmar currently in theUK who cannot safely return to their country; andwhat plans they have to (1)offer visa extensions to, and (2) adapt the Leave outside the Immigration Rules for, those people.

Lord Greenhalgh: Under the Points-Based-System, there are a comprehensive range of work and study routes, and most visa holders can apply to extend their stay or switch from one immigration route to another without having to leave the UK.For individuals who are unable to return to their home country due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, they can apply under the Exceptional Assurance which can be found at the following link;Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)As there are currently no flights to Myanmar, individuals will fall within the scope of this policy. Where no other route is applicable, individuals can also apply for Leave Outside the Rules.Given the wide number of options already available there are no plans to offer a blanket extension.

Religious Buildings: Islam

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 22 March (HL14054), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, what assessment they have made of any Islamist teaching in mosques in the UK; what assessment they have made of the number of Imams in the UK who cannot speak English; and what plans they have to require services in mosques in the UK to be conducted in English.

Lord Greenhalgh: As outlined in our previous response, religious organisations and faith-based institutions may recruit religious leaders from overseas via our T2 Minister of Religion route. The Immigration Rules governing this category require applicants to demonstrate a strong command of the English language in order to qualify for a visa.The Government will always protect people’s legitimate rights – for example, to free speech and to practise their religion within the law – but we cannot and will not shy away from challenging cultures and practices that are harmful. Whether through Islamism or any other ideology, the Government is committed to tackling those who spread views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities in our society, and that radicalise others into terrorism.MHCLG continues to lead on broader matters of integration and faith, including on religious practice in communities.

Police: Mental Health

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline police officers.

Lord Greenhalgh: Our police do a very demanding job and continue to dedicate themselves to protecting the public during this hugely challenging time. We recognise that the pandemic will have no doubt had an impact on their wellbeing. The Government and police leaders take this matter very seriously and are working to support the mental and physical wellbeing of all police officers and staff.This includes providing ongoing funding to the National Police Wellbeing Service in England and Wales, which is helping forces to identify where there is most risk of impacts on mental health, developing work around building resilience, as well as supporting those who need it in response to traumatic events.The Government has also accelerated work to introduce a Police Covenant for England and Wales, which will ensure our police get the support and protection they need. The Covenant will be enshrined in law as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, introduced to Parliament on 9 March. The legislation provides a statutory duty for the Home Secretary to report annually to Parliament on the work undertaken. Our focus will be on health and wellbeing, physical protection and support for families, with a real emphasis on mental health support.

Crime Prevention: Females

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what technology they are (1) using, and (2) developing, to improve the safety of women.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Home Office is supporting policing to build its digital capability and maximise the use of technologies to ensure it can respond effectively to crime and protect the public, including women.The Single Online Home (SOH) is a national platform that provides a digital front counter and online services for the public. SOH launched a pilot domestic abuse reporting service in October 2020 across five forces following heightened risks of hidden harms during the pandemic. Designed in consultation with forces, the NPCC Domestic Abuse Lead, and external charities, the service is very much victim focused and provides victims with a discrete reporting mechanism to access the support they need. The service has received a total of 1168 reports and is being used to inform a national roll out.In light of the recent and tragic death of Sarah Everard, we have more than doubled the size of the Safer Streets Fund, which will bring funding for these local projects to £45 million in the 2021/22 financial year. Through the Safer Streets Fund, we will work with Police and Crime Commissioners and Local Authorities to deploy measures such as CCTV and improved street lighting that improve the safety of public spaces, with a focus on increasing the safety of women and girls.Through our landmark Domestic Abuse Bill we will also strengthen our response to perpetrators and improve our support to victims. The Bill will introduce mandatory polygraph examinations of high-risk domestic abuse offenders on licence.We intend to publish two strategies this year focussed on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse, which will ensure a cross-government response to ensuring and increasing the safety of women and girls.We have published the Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper, which includes specific measures to work with private companies and ensure that they are held to account for tackling illegal activity and content, such as hate crime, harassment, and cyber-stalking, as well as activity and content which may not be illegal but is nonetheless highly damaging to individuals (legal but harmful). The Full Government Response will be followed by legislation, which we are working on at pace, and will be ready this year.